Tier 5 (Youth mobility scheme)
Conditions of your stay
This page explains the conditions of your stay in the UK under the Tier 5 (Youth mobility scheme) category of our points-based system.
When can you come to the UK?
You can travel to the UK at any time within the validity dates of the visa. You do not need to come here immediately. Also, we can postdate your visa to start up to 3 months later.
How long can you stay in the UK?
You will be able to live and work in the UK for 24 months under the youth mobility scheme. If you reach your 31st birthday during that time, you can stay in the UK while your visa remains valid.
You can leave and come back to the UK at any time during your stay.
What work and studies can you do?
You can work and study full-time on a Tier 5 (Youth mobility scheme) visa.
You can take most types of employment without needing our approval, but you cannot be employed as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach) or as a doctor in training.
You can be self-employed, but only if:
- you do not own permanent premises from which you do your business (other than your home);
- the total value of your equipment that you use in your business is not worth more than £5,000; and
- you have no employees.
You are allowed to rent premises where you will work as a self-employed person, if the above conditions are met.
You can set up a company for the provision of the business, and you can hold shares in a company, if the above conditions are met.
You can also do:
- au pair placements;
- voluntary work; and
- any privately funded course of study - you will not need to be sponsored by your education provider, and there are no other entry requirements.
Any work that you do must comply with UK and European Union laws, directives and regulations.
Other requirements
When you are in the UK under the youth mobility scheme, you:
- must register with the police if this is required by paragraph 326 in Part 10 of the Immigration Rules: and
- must not claim state benefits or other public funds.
Can you extend your stay or switch into another immigration category?
While you are in the UK under the youth mobility scheme, you cannot switch into any other category of the points-based system or into a visitor route. When your visa expires at the end of the 24 months, you cannot extend your stay.
Can you settle here at the end of your stay?
You cannot apply for permission to settle in the UK (also known as 'indefinite leave to remain') from Tier 5, and time spent in any tier 5 category will not count towards any application for settlement that you make in the future.